Daily Sprout

Josie Garthwaite

Jul. 1, 2009 - 4:32 PM PDT
Jul. 1, 2009 - 4:32 PM PDT

Obama on Climate Bill Opposition: “Are there going to be nay-sayers? Absolutely. Are there going to be short-term instances where you can get political gain by scaring the bejesus out of people and telling them that their electricity rates are going to go up a thousand percent and this is going to be a tax of $3,000 — even though the studies that they cite the authors of say that these guys are just lying about these costs? Yes.” — Climate Progress

Woe is Musk: As part of Daimler’s investment deal with Tesla Motors, Elon Musk says he had to commit to staying on as Tesla’s CEO at least until the Model S launches in 2011 — a requirement he calls “flattering, but at the same time it’s golden handcuffs.” — Reuters via AutoblogGreen

June Auto Sales Silver Lining: June sales figures released today show Ford had the smallest decline of any of the six largest automakers since last summer. Volkswagen clean diesel cars had their best month ever. — New York Times, Associated Press

Detroit Electric’s Route to China: Recently-revived electric car company Detroit Electric’s CEO, Albert Lam, says in a Q&A that a new partnership with Dongfeng Motor “a direct line of communication to Chinese policy makers who will define the strategic direction for the new electric car industry.” — NYT’s Green Inc.

Still Worth It?: A watered-down climate bill is better than nothing. After all, “the first item on the wish list of every venture capitalist working in clean tech is a simple price on carbon. Lay that down…and money will start spilling into energy innovation.” — TNR’s The Vine